Council Update: Unique group prenatal care program benefits local moms-to-be

Source:Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County

Date:August 3, 2017

For some moms-to-be, typical visits to the doctor just aren’t enough to ensure a healthy birth. That’s why Children’s Services Council supports CenteringPregnancy, an evidence-based prenatal care program that includes not only medical care, but also education, prevention services, social support and cultural appropriateness.

CenteringPregnancy, administered by Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, focuses on Hispanic women in the Lake Worth/Lantana area. The program allows pregnant women to receive individual attention from health care providers, along with emotional and educational support in a group setting. This eliminates traditional exam room visits and increases vital relationships among pregnant women and new moms when they need it most.

Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County’s board received an update on the program at its August meeting. Staff reported recent results, which show women in the program have better birth outcomes, in general, than Palm Beach County as a whole. Seven percent of CenteringPregnancy participants had a baby born pre-term, or before 37 weeks, last year. That’s compared to nine percent in the county and 14 percent of a matched comparison group.

Here’s how the program works: Eight to 12 pregnant women with similar due dates meet regularly, learn care skills, participate in a facilitated discussion, and develop a support network with other members of the group. Each pregnancy group meets for a total of 10 sessions throughout pregnancy and early postpartum.

They also receive:

Prenatal care check ups

Weight and blood pressure monitoring

Private time with their health care provider

Important information and resources for themselves and their baby

Time to talk about pregnancy, child birth and family

Time to get to know other women in the group

Time to talk and share about parenting, child development and family issues

In interviews, participants said they loved the program’s relaxed atmosphere and level of trust that develops over time.

As one mom noted: “Whenever I have a doubt, I am able to ask and I feel more at peace.”

In other business

Transportation Services: The Council approved a contract with SE Florida Transportation Services to provide transportation services to families in CSC’s Healthy Beginnings System of Care. The contract is not to exceed $20,000 from Aug. 15 through Sept. 30, 2017, and not to exceed $230,000 Oct. 1, 2017 through Sept. 30, 2018, subject to the Council’s annual budget and TRIM (Truth in Millage) approval process.

Child First Evaluation: The Council approved a contract with Research Triangle Institute for an evaluation of the Child First program in Palm Beach County, not to exceed $20,433 through Sept. 30, 2017, and not to exceed $1.15 million over a four-year period through August 2021, subject to the Council’s annual budget and TRIM (Truth in Millage) approval process.

211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast: The Council approved a Memorandum of Agreement with United Way of Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners not to exceed $176,433 of Council funding to support 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast from Oct. 1, 2017 through Sept. 30, 2018, subject to the Council’s annual budget and TRIM (Truth in Millage) approval process.

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Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County – a special-purpose government established by Palm Beach County voters in 1986 and reauthorized in 2014 – provides leadership, funding, services and research on behalf of the county's children so they grow up healthy, safe and strong. For more information, visit www.cscpbc.org or contact Shana Cooper, Public Information Officer, at 561.374.7570 or shana.cooper@cscpbc.org.